A History of the University of Maine at Presque Isle: 1903-2020 For more than a century, the University of Maine at Presque Isle has been helping people find their path to a great career. From its earliest days, that has meant preparing the next generation of school teachers, but nowadays, it also includes everything from accountants and law enforce- ment officials to scientists, social workers, and artists. There have been so many milestones along the way – the school has grown from a small teacher’s school that served two dozen students to a much larger university serving about 1,200 students each year. Over the last hundred years, the school has changed its name four times, significantly expanded its programs, acreage, and buildings, and become an educational and cultural center for the area. Read on to learn about the University’s roots and its growth over the last century. We hope it will bring you back to your own days on campus, and the memories you made during your time here.

Beginnings lished in the state, and was part of a national movement begun in the 19th century to In the 1890’s, Presque Isle residents began train teachers. working toward an important goal – to establish a school in their town that would The Aroostook State Normal School was offer educational opportunities to the people dedicated on August 18, 1903 and opened its of northern Maine. Presque Isle had been doors for classes on September 15, 1903, just incorporated as a town about 35 years earlier, 44 years after the town was incorporated. and by 1895, the community boasted a rail- The new school was composed of a small road, lumber mills, and several factories, and group – Principal Irving Orison Bragg, was the trade, shipping, and tourist center two teachers – Mr. Alonzo J. K. Knowlton for Aroostook. and Miss Ardelle Tozier – and 17 students (16 women and one man). These students Around that time, a handful of community were admitted into a two-year teaching leaders, led by the vision of Rev. George M. program and their institution was made up Park, began more than six years of work of two buildings – Central Hall, which held coordinating with the town and the state the classrooms where all the courses were in order to make their educational goal a taught, and a second building that served as reality. In 1902, the Town of Presque Isle the principal’s home and office. All of the purchased the old St. John’s Episcopal students commuted as there was no dormi- Secondary School for Boys (which closed in tory space available. the 1890’s after the establishment of public schools) along with five acres of land for A year and a half years later, on January $2,500, and then donated the property to the 3, 1905, the institution’s Training School State of Maine so that a normal school could opened. The Training School, the equiv- be established. At 12:40 p.m. on Friday, alent of the student teaching that college March 20, 1903, the Maine State Legislature students do today, consisted of local students passed a bill that established a new normal in grades 1-6 who occupied two rooms of school in Presque Isle. Governor John F. Hill Central Hall in order to give Aroostook then signed the bill that authorized the es- State Normal School students the oppor- tablishment of the Aroostook State Normal tunity to get experience teaching children. School. It was the seventh such school estab- Miss Florence M. Hale served as principal

October 2020 A History of the University of Maine at Presque Isle: 1903-2020 and Miss Nellie W. Jordan served as as- E. Kelley, matron of the dorm, and Miss sistant. Eventually, the Training School Tracy, her helper, came to the dormitory on moved into the old wooden high school in December 4, 1905, in order to get the dorm Presque Isle, which burned down in 1927. In ready for 24 students to move in. Eight days cooperation with the City of Presque Isle, a later, students moved into the new dormito- new brick building was constructed for the ry, which, at the time, was still incomplete Training School and remains on Academy on the inside – walls were not painted, there Street to this day. were no window shades and there were no The spring of 1905 marked the first time a doors on the rooms, but Normal Hall offi- class graduated from the Aroostook State cially became a part of campus. Normal School. Twelve students earned In 1907, the Aroostook State Normal their teaching degrees. Also in 1905, with School bid farewell to the retiring Principal the growing need for a dormitory at the Bragg and welcomed Mr. San Lorenzo normal school, Governor William S. Cobb Merriman, who was appointed by the Board signed a bill appropriating $20,000 for the of Trustees, and would serve the institution construction of a dormitory. The town of for 33 years. Under his tenure, two buildings Presque Isle did not feel that this amount were added, ten additional acres were pur- was adequate to appropriately build and chased, and, in 1934, the two-year program complete the dormitory they wanted, so developed into a three-year program. In once again showing their strong support for 1907, the school also hired its first assistant their educational institution, town officials principal, Mr. William D. Hall. Merriman also gave $20,000 to help fund the construc- had a profound effect on the development tion of the new dormitory. The work on this of the school. He was known to care deeply building – which included rooms, a dining for the students, importing fresh meats and hall, and a small gym – continued through growing fresh vegetables in a garden to en- the winter of 1905. School began late that hance the dietary offerings, and personally fall in order to allow the building to be com- paying expenses of several students so they pleted to the point of livability. Miss Mary could attend school. Students affectionately

Normal Hall October 2020 A History of the University of Maine at Presque Isle: 1903-2020 referred to him as “Pop.” space and poor heating conditions – they The year 1909 marked the beginning of had to keep their coats on during their visit the production of the Salmagundi, a school because of the cold rooms – that things newspaper that eventually evolved into a really changed. As a result of their visit, school yearbook. The students chose the the state government appropriated funds name to mean ‘a little bit of everything’ – toward the construction of a new building Salmagundi was an “old Dutch dish which completed in 1921 and commonly called the consisted of a mixture of spices, chopped Administration Building. It was renamed meat, pickled herring, oil, vinegar, pepper Preble Hall in honor of Mr. Sanford Preble, and onions.” a sub principal beginning in 1922. In order to provide more training with In 1921, Principal Merriman built an youngsters, the Aroostook State Normal off-campus home for himself, and what School offered its first summer session in had been the principal’s home as well as 1910. The six-week term began on July 10, part of Central Hall were converted into 16 and allowed student teachers to increase dormitory rooms for women. The building their knowledge of and experience with the that had been the principal’s home came to teaching profession, and to offer student be called South Hall, as it was the south- teachers a proper Normal School training. ern-most building on campus at the time. The Aroostook State Normal School ad- During the winter of 1921-1922, the normal opted its first seal and motto –Education school began its tradition of hosting Winter for Service – in 1913. The Class of 1913 also Carnivals. The carnival allowed students started an important campus tradition that to compete with each other in a number of lasted for many years. They planted a tree events. For that first year, the events includ- and dedicated it to Miss Ardelle Tozier. ed a flag relay race, a snowshoe dash, and After that first tree planting and dedication, basketball games between the Seniors and each graduating class for some time would Juniors. dedicate a tree to someone and plant it on In 1923, the original St. John’s School facility Arbor Day. burned down. The following year, a new In 1918, the normal school closed its doors building was erected in place of the original for a short period when the influenza ep- buildings and was named South Hall. idemic ran rampant through the town of In 1940, when Principal Merriman retired, Presque Isle. Dorms were emptied, classes the school welcomed its third leader, Dr. were suspended, and parts of the old school Clifford O. T. Wieden. Three years later, building were used as a hospital where many with World War II in full swing, the fed- of the townspeople were cared for. eral government decided to close down the A year later, an important expansion began normal school so that the Federal Public for the school. Governor Carl E. Milliken Housing Authority could use it as military stated that Aroostook State Normal School housing for women workers at the airbase. could have a new building if it could guar- However, the school did not provide enough antee a large growth in student enrollment space for housing purposes, so two barracks during the next five years. However, his were built behind what is now Preble Hall. council did not want to make that prom- These barracks were later used for school ise to the school. It was when the State purposes and eventually torn down to make Senators and Representatives visited the way for Folsom and Pullen Halls. For the normal school that year and saw the limited duration of the war, Principal Wieden, fac- October 2020 A History of the University of Maine at Presque Isle: 1903-2020 ulty and students went to Washington State The year 1958 marked the beginning of the Normal School in Machias to continue their Health, Physical Education, and Recreation education. programs at the Aroostook State Teacher’s On September 23, 1946, Aroostook State College. Since that time, the Physical Normal School reopened its doors with Education program has been recognized as Principal Wieden, four faculty, and three an excellent program, and it continues to be staff members, and welcomed 52 students. a strong program to this day. That same year, Miss Caroline Gentile was In 1960, a new multi-purpose building was hired to teach health and physical education. added to the Aroostook State Teacher’s She would become the University’s longest College campus. This new building was serving faculty member. completed and dedicated as Wieden Hall, in honor of Dr. Clifford O. T. Wieden. Growth and Expansion This facility was the first new building (not In 1947, the Maine State Legislature gave including the barracks from the war) since the normal school Junior College status 1924 when South Hall was rebuilt after it and soon after, in 1950, Aroostook State burned to the ground. Normal School upgraded its curriculum to In 1962, the Aroostook State Teacher’s a four-year program. In 1952, the institution College bought the Ben Marks Farm for was renamed the Aroostook State Teacher’s $60,000. This purchase added 123 acres of College in order to reflect its baccalaureate land to the size of the campus, giving the status. Dr. Wieden became the college’s campus a total size of 150 acres. The pur- first president. Before his retirement, he chase was important in the years to follow, would witness two more name changes for as it was in the late 1960’s that many more the institution, watch the student body buildings were added to the Aroostook State increase from 140 students to 600, and see Teacher’s College. Without the purchase the campus grow from 27 to 150 acres and of the Ben Marks Farm, this much-needed expand from three to 10 buildings. Also expansion of the physical body of the college in 1952, Mr. Jan Kok was hired as a music would not have been possible. instructor. He remained at the school for In 1963, a new dormitory, Emerson Hall, many years and greatly impacted the music was added to campus. Emerson Hall was program and the appreciation that students originally built with the purpose of being at the teacher’s college had for music. a woman’s dormitory. As a result, it was A change in athletics came in 1954 when named after Miss Leah Crabtree Emerson, Aroostook State Teacher’s College became the first female member of the State Board a charter member of the Northeast College of Education. Conference, giving students more teams to With the expansion of educational pro- compete against in intercollegiate athletics. grams at the college, the focus of study was Also in 1954, the college became the first no longer only on teaching; therefore, in state-sponsored school of practical nursing. 1965, the school was once again renamed. Training for this program was held in the This time, there was only a small change. barracks that remained on campus from The new name of the institution became war-time. The nursing program moved to Aroostook State College. the Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute (now Northern Maine Community It soon became evident that there was a College) in 1962. need for more residence halls, so in 1967 a new men’s dormitory, Merriman Hall, October 2020 A History of the University of Maine at Presque Isle: 1903-2020 was completed. This dormitory was named Athletic Association (NCAA). That year, by after the second principal of the Aroostook popular vote, the students adopted the Owl State Normal School, Mr. San Lorenzo as the team mascot. Merriman, in honor of his dedication and The year 1969 proved to be another import- contributions to this school. ant year for the addition of buildings to the Also in 1967, Kelley Commons, the dining campus, as two more were added. Park and hall, was completed. This building was Pullen Halls were finished and dedicated named in honor of Miss Mary E. Kelley, the in 1969. Park Hall, a dormitory, was built first matron of the school. where the Reverend George M. Park’s home Aroostook State College became a part of stood. Park Hall was named in honor of his the University of Maine System in 1968. As efforts in making Presque Isle the site of the a result of this affiliation, the school was new normal school in 1903. Pullen Hall renamed again, this time to the Aroostook was named in honor of Miss Marguerite State College of the University of Maine. Pullen, a long-time teacher. Another new facility was completed in 1968. Also in 1969, President Clifford O.T. This time, it was a classroom building that Wieden retired. His position as president was needed, and the new facility was dedi- was filled by Dr. Stanley F. Salwak who, as cated as Folsom Hall, in honor of Miss Ida the institution’s fourth leader, served for 11 Folsom, a long-time science teacher at this years. school. Folsom taught at Aroostook State A University at Last Normal School from 1912-1935, and had a significant impact on the school’s science In 1970, the institution received its final program. name change – the University of Maine at Presque Isle. During Dr. Salwak’s tenure, Also in 1968, the Aroostook State College of the University experienced an expansion the University of Maine joined the National of programs, buildings, athletic assets and Association of Intercollegiate Athletics the development of the Foundation of the (NAIA) and the National Collegiate University at Presque Isle, a private fundrais- ing arm of the institution. Also in 1970, the Norton Museum was donated and moved to the University campus. In 1971, Normal Hall was renovated. The change was a significant one, with the rooms being changed from residential dormitories to faculty offices. There were curriculum changes in 1973 with the addition of the Bachelor of Arts degree, as well as program study in the subject areas of Criminal Justice and Soviet Studies. Also in 1973, the stu- The University has been located in the same place dent-run radio station, WUPI, was built. In for over 100 years but has operated under five 1974 the Smith House was purchased and different names: 1903 Atoostook State Normal 1975 marked the completion of the Library, School; 1952 Aroostook State Teachers College; a greatly needed addition to campus. When 1965 Aroostook State College; 1968 Aroostook State it was completed, students, faculty, and College of the University of Maine; 1970 University staff moved the books and periodicals from of Maine at Presque Isle. October 2020 A History of the University of Maine at Presque Isle: 1903-2020

Preble Hall to the new library. the Facilities Support Building was also After Dr. Salwak’s retirement in 1981, constructed, providing space to house the Dr. Constance Carlson served as interim crew and equipment needed to maintain the president for one year before being hired growing campus. permanently as the University’s fifth leader. President Roach advocated for the addition She was the first woman president in the of another building. This new facility was to University of Maine System and remained be a student center with offices for student in the position for six years. During her organizations, and meeting spaces to fulfill administration, there were further additions the needs of campus groups wishing to hold to program offerings, including accounting, meetings, workshops, banquets, and other liberal studies and fine arts. Also in 1981, the social gatherings. The work on this build- student newspaper, the University Times, ing – the Campus Center – was completed began operations. In 1982, the Special in 1992, the same year that President Roach Collections Room was added to the base- retired from UMPI. ment of the Library. In 1993, Dr. W. Michael Easton became When President Carlson retired in 1986, she the seventh president of the University of was succeeded by Dr. James R. Roach, the Maine at Presque Isle. Under his leadership, University’s sixth president. President Roach the University continued its commitment to witnessed further expansion of the curricu- strengthening programs, establishing a dis- lum, three more buildings, and a major Title tinctive mission, enhancing ties to the com- III grant which funded a learning center and munity, and increasing the University’s en- greatly increased the University’s computing dowment. During President Easton’s tenure, capacity. President Roach felt that it was im- many of the school’s buildings underwent portant that the President’s House be located some major renovations. Many offices in on campus, so in 1987 the Smith House, Preble Hall were renovated. The first floor of which then served as a Student Services fa- Normal Hall was renovated to include three cility, was transformed into the President’s additional classrooms. Each of the dormi- House, where Dr. and Mrs. Roach lived tories was renovated to include carpets in the remainder of his time as president of the each room and in the hallways, making the University of Maine at Presque Isle. In 1990, atmosphere more friendly and comfortable. In 1996, the school became home to the Northern Maine Museum of Science, locat- ed in the hallways of Folsom Hall. In 1999, Dr. Nancy H. Hensel came to the Presque Isle campus as an interim president following President Easton’s retirement. She became the University’s eighth president. During her tenure, the University established the Houlton Higher Education Center, where stu- dents in southern Aroostook County can receive work training, complete their The new Library was completed in 1975 and the GED, or earn a college degree. President books were moved from Preble Hall via a chain of Hensel also worked to secure funding faculty, staff and students linking the two build- for Gentile Hall, the University’s health ings. Not a book was lost. October 2020 A History of the University of Maine at Presque Isle: 1903-2020 and wellness center named after legend- and Folsom Halls; the establishment of sev- ary faculty member, Caroline D. Gentile. eral renewable energy systems on campus, The facility features a climbing wall, pool, including a 600 kW wind turbine, solar multi-purpose gym, workout facilities, and panels, and a biomass boiler; the four-year, classroom space. Construction on the fa- Nellie Mae Education Foundation-funded cility began in August 2004, a month after Project Compass effort to develop and President Hensel resigned in order to serve improve culturally responsive retention as Executive Director of the Council for strategies for UMPI’s Native American Undergraduate Research in Washington, students; and the addition of a state-of- D.C. Gentile Hall opened on January 21, the-art GIS laboratory. President Zillman 2006. announced in fall 2011 that he would Also in August 2004, Dr. William A. return to his position as the Edward S. Shields was appointed to serve as acting Godfrey Professor of Law at the University president while a search was conducted of Maine School of Law in Portland the fol- for a permanent replacement for President lowing year. Hensel. In July 2005, Dr. Karl E. Burgher The University welcomed its eleventh was appointed as the University’s ninth pres- president, Dr. Linda K. Schott, in July ident. During his tenure, President Burgher 2012. President Schott established UMPI undertook several initiatives, including as a national leader in personalized educa- implementing a new academic structure, tion; the New England Board of Higher formal collaborations with other univer- Education recognized UMPI’s achievements sities within the state system, and student in this area with its 2016 Maine State Merit recruitment initiatives intended to reach Award. President Schott also led efforts to underserved populations. President Burgher develop early college offerings for local high stepped down in August 2006 to return with schoolers and ensure several campus im- his family to the Missouri Ozarks. provements, including the transition of the In September 2006, Dr. Donald N. Zillman Library to what is now known as the Center was appointed as the University’s tenth pres- for Innovative Learning and the creation ident. President Zillman led several major of a Student One-Stop area, with Student initiatives during his time at the University: Financial Services and the Registrar’s office more than $4 million in renovations to co-located on the second floor of Preble UMPI’s major classroom buildings, Pullen Hall. Under her leadership, UMPI was

The Campus Center was completed in 1992 and serves as a conference and meeting center for the campus and community. October 2020 A History of the University of Maine at Presque Isle: 1903-2020 selected as one of 20 institutions nation- Nursing Labs and an MLT Training Center, wide to participate in the Lumina-funded and the Zillman Family Greenhouse. UMPI Competency-Based Education Network also received a $1 million gift to establish its (C-BEN). President Schott left in 2016 to first-ever endowed chair and was awarded serve as the President of Southern Oregon a $2.2 million Title III grant to create two University. new degree programs—Computer Science UMPI’s Provost, Dr. Raymond Rice, was and Health Administration. Through his appointed interim president in June 2016. leadership with the YourPace program, He became the University’s twelfth presi- UMPI became the first bricks and mortar dent. Under his leadership, the University public university in New England, and one garnered a top 5 Most Innovative Schools of a small number across the country, to ranking by U.S. News and World Report, offer fully accredited Competency Based was named a 2020 Great College to Work Education degrees. With his guidance and For, and established several new spaces on the support of students, faculty, staff, and campus, including the MMG Center for alumni, the future for the University of Professional Development, state-of-the-art Maine at Presque Isle is limitless. Folsom, Gentile and other Giants – The Faculty Many talented and dedicated faculty members have graced the halls of this in- stitution. Miss Mary F. Kaufmann was one of the first, hired to teach music and music methods. Miss Ida Folsom joined the faculty in 1912 and remained for 23 years, penning a school song and incorporating plays – many of which she wrote – into the curriculum. There was the gracious home economics teacher Miss Marguerite Pullen; Miss Virginia Ames, who taught physical education; Miss Evangeline Tubbs; and Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Preble, to name only a Zillman Family Greenhouse interior few. In 1946, when the school reopened after

Caroline D. Gentile Hall October 2020 A History of the University of Maine at Presque Isle: 1903-2020

Women’s basketball team, 1927-1928 the war, perhaps the most notable giant of male and female basketball teams, a baseball them all, Miss Caroline Gentile, came to team, and even a short-lived football team, the school and stayed for 59 year, becom- which took to the gridiron twice a year from ing the institution’s longest serving faculty 1936-1940 for a rivalry with Ricker College member. Through her extraordinary long in Houlton. In 1954, the college became a range planning abilities and her more than charter member of the Northeast College a half-century as a classroom teacher, she Conference, and the men’s basketball team created a physical education program that called themselves the Educators. In 1968, continues to serve the County, the State, the school funded intercollegiate sports; and regions beyond. In 1952, Mr. Jan Kok prior to this, the students funded athlet- arrived to take over the music program. ics. The institution joined the National Long after retirement, Jan and his wife Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Evelyn still came to the campus for cultural and cross-country and wrestling were events and get-togethers. Of those retired added to the men’s teams, which already or passed on, no one will forget the con- comprised soccer, basketball and baseball. tributions of Nan Amodeo, Reta Graham, The women competed in individual sports Royal Goheen, George Hall, Gil Moreau, such as tennis, archery, fencing, bowling Warren Horton, John MacLeod, Guy and badminton. By a popular vote that Gallagher, Clifton Boudman, Bill Lothrop, year, the students adopted the Owl as the Chad Loder, Becky Wanbaugh, Ken Taylor, team mascot. Currently, the University is a Dick Ayre, Ken Petress, Bill Davidshofer, member of the National Collegiate Athletic Claire Davidshofer, Christine Standefer, Sue Association, Division III, and there are 12 Beaudet, Kim-Anne Perkins, and Malcolm intercollegiate teams: men’s sports include Coulter. Today, the faculty number more soccer, cross-country, golf, basketball, track than 60 and continue to dedicate themselves and field, and baseball; and women’s sports to the service of teaching. include soccer, cross-country, volleyball, bas- ketball, track and field, and softball. Many Educators and Owls – Athletics of the teams are very competitive and have Athletics and physical training have always earned honors and championships. In 1988, had a place on the Presque Isle campus. As the Owls Athletic Hall of Fame was estab- early as the late 1920s, there were official lished to honor the accomplishments of the school’s many great athletes. October 2020 A History of the University of Maine at Presque Isle: 1903-2020

Mandatory Chapel to Student sionally oriented, service focused, or fun seek- Protests – Student Life ing. Food service is contracted out to Sodexo, and, although they provide a wide variety In 1903, students were required to pay an of fresh and tasty fare, none of it is raised incidental fee of $1.50 to help support social on University grounds. There are still canoe activities on campus. Although that fee has trips, dances, cultural events and outdoor ad- increased over the years, so, too, has the ventures, but, alas, no candy pulls. Dramatics breadth and variety of extracurricular ac- on campus has taken many forms over the tivities. The Student Christian Association, years – from Miss Ida Folsom’s plays in the the Literary Club, and the Orpheum Club 1930s, to the Hudramics Club in the 1950s, (organized for the purpose of giving occasion- the Pioneer Playhouse in the 1970s, and now al concerts in the community) were among the University Players. The first fraternity the first student organizations established on chapter, Kappa Delta Phi, was established in campus. The beginnings of the yearbook, 1953; a school newspaper, The Northern Lights, the Salmagundi, started in 1909 with three was established in 1955; and the first student publications a year featuring literary works, protest was recorded in 1968 reflecting the jokes, and photos, with the graduating class times of the day. WUPI, the student-run featured in the spring edition. Other student radio station, was built in 1973, and the stu- activities in the early years included picnics, dent-run newspaper, the University Times, canoe trips, snowshoeing, plays, musicals, began publishing in 1981. Activities such concerts, straw rides to Haystack Mountain, as movies, Frozen Frenzy, and Spring Ball candy pulls, and mandatory chapel services have eclipsed activities of the past, and other each morning. The school also had its own University programs such as cultural events, garden and kept cows and pigs to supply food the Reed Art Gallery, University Day, and for the table. Today, there are more than 30 the University’s Libra Distinguished Lecturer student organizations that are either profes- Series provide students with enriched op- portunities to have fun, learn, and grow. As much as things have changed over the years, many have remained the same – extracurric- ular activities will always play an important role in the life of a college campus, no matter the place or time period.

For the University and Presque Isle, it has been a most exciting 100 years and counting. The dream a small group of dedicated com- munity members fought for – establishing a school in their town that would offer educa- tional opportunities to the people of northern Maine – has been realized. To be sure, the results have far exceeded what anyone in the 1890s might have expected. And now, well into the 21st century, the University of Maine at Presque Isle is poised for what comes next. This outdoor wooden owl sculpture, created by the Sources: The History of the U of M at Presque Isle: A Narrative, late Bernard Langlais, was erected on campus in created by Lynda C. Stawasz; materials from the University’s 1976 as the result of a grant. Centennial celebration in 2003; and other University records. October 2020